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i feel this. we just booked our first 11 night on ascent for december 2025 and i couldn’t be more delighted. if we didn’t hate quantum class so much, we would be more apt to a royal 8+ nighter. but we prefer newer ships and so it’s off to celebrity we go. oh yes it is!!!!! the power of love!!!!!!! perhaps this is a condition not dissimilar from Male Refrigerator Blindness. it strikes often when you convey that there is food in the fridge STARING THEM IN THE FACE….. and yet. it cannot be found. (until you come along and reveal it with a quick vanna white showing of jazz hands. VINTAGES!!!!!!!!!! we go AGAIN!!!!!! you and me both, pal remind me to hide away when we’re on ascent….. MY QUESTION EXACTLY!!!! (thankfully @Ampurp85 to the rescue, as always) HONESTLY THOUGH!!!! batman NO. DO NOT FALL TO A FATE OF OVERCONFIDENCE!! repeat after me: IN UNDIES WE TRUST!!!!!!! i am HERE FOR THIS!!! my favorite royal ship and my NJ twinness (just not in bedtimes and drinking habits; where we are polar opposites ) AND AWAY WE GO!!

You're asking about the a cruise that's 3 months away (or less) and that would have originally gone on sale about 2 years ago. Right around the date final payment is due, there will be a bunch of cancellations as people have to make that final decision. There are always random cancellations at any time because life happens. But yes, it's highly likely the category is effectively sold out at this point. Royal's website is known to not show every available room (so if there were 20 rooms showing, there might really be more than 20 choices if you called to book) but if it shows no availability, calling is unlikely to change that.

I thought sometimes rooms are held back by contracts like Travel Agents sometimes. Those rooms get released at a certain time if the TA doesn't sell them.

I am sailing on Independence of the Seas in August. Last week, it said the rooms for the ocean balcony category were sold out. Then, a few rooms were available a few hours later. Are category rooms really sold out or does Royal release rooms in small numbers at a time? I’m only asking because I’m trying to see if room 7708 (larger balcony!) is available. Thanks!

Find your own maps, the ones provided are designed to steer you to sponsored venues that pay money for the privilege. This isn't much different than Google or Apple maps who do the same thing. Those that pay get on the map. Meanwhile there are plenty of legitimate businesses that choose not to pay the 800 pound gorillas like cruise lines or phone makers.

We are also going on a casino comp for Wonder in September 30th 2024!

We have been on the Wonder with casino comp in January 2024 and going on the Beyond on a Sunset veranda with one for us and one for one of our daughters and newish son in law on August 24th 2024 to the ABC islands for 8 days! Yeah! Michelle

@dr martini, While the selection was never going to break any records, I appreciated the EHT and ER in the DB Package. Being a long-time fan of BTMB#1 in most of its forms, including them in the deluxe beverage package was welcome news for me for seven days. While both are “available”, albeit at secondary prices as you’ve noted, I was welcome to have them on board and ensured I had my fill of the EHT. Expectations were low going in, but I really couldn’t complain about having some close friends of mine on board. If anyone is looking to find some BTAC on an RC ship, I’d be surprised. Let me know if you have the inside scoop on that and I’ll meet you there!

Aqua Class is way better to us for the food and perks! No need for specialty dining. In Aqua class you have complimentary access to spa area for the entire trip which is also so worth it! We have been on the Retreat once and didnt like all the sauces smothering the meat, etc. I do love some sauces but not these and lots of fish that I llke but my husband doesnt like fish at all! We were able to have breakfast on the balcony with the big table and chairs! Which ship are you going on? There are large, medium, and smaller ships? Michelle

Eagle Rare is a strange one. Hard to find, but not overly expensive when you do find it. Usually the rare ones get marked up heavily.

Well way Batman is thinking on retirement sailing Suite Life, obviously his financial eyes and calculation hasn't looked at those god awful rates even for the bunker. Maybe he is planning to keep working while you sail the high seas in retirement. Just was over at Next Cruise and literally almost choked on rates for a sailing. Even picking a cabin down in drenches was outrageous. Just to do a sunset Aft vernada, will need to sell a kidney and God knows what else when add airfare for across the pond .....

As opposed to this site which purposely included "World's Largest Cruise Ship" in its various social media posts for this event? The size of the ship has no relevance to mental state of the passengers it carries. Large or small ship, an attempt to take one's life is a larger concern compared to the size of the ship. SMH.

The 'hotel' folio is one thing, not receiving detailed documentation suitable for filing for insurance reimbursement (which seems to be the case) is a head scratcher. Hell, I have office visit summaries in an app before I even get home from an appointment. Seems like a 'one and done' visit by a practitioner you'll likely never see again should be produced in a timely manner.

I did the same as Tx. I booked a transfer through RC. they should offer 2. One is from the city center (Tronchetto) , and the other would be the airport. my experience when trying to book their airport transfer you need to fly in the morning of the cruise. If this is still their rule I find a flight that arrives early am and provide them that flight info. I then make sure to get to the airport early enough to catch their bus. If however your flight over was via air2sea and you already arrived a few days early then it could be a slight issue-so provide them a “domestic ” flight…. Tell them you landed then flew elsewhere on your own, then provide a flight #. if you are staying in Venice it would be easier:cheaper to go to Tronchetto for the bus-Tronchetto means bus terminal or transfer or something like that-it’s not a town,

Day 4 was a sea day we had a relaxing day and got my blue band for the flowrider. Enjoyed the Gym and walking track. Got some good reading and naps in.. Day 5 - Saint Martin - No excursions booked, so we took the water taxi to Great Bay Beach for $7 round trip. Trisha had us in beach chairs, umbrella and drinks for $20. Spent a couple of hours and headed back to make MDR by 5:15p. The water was perfect and nice sandy bottom. On the way back the whole water taxi sang "Sweet Caroline" in unison..awesome video. I'll post a link. In the 90s we would go to Orient Beach, but didn't feel like the drive. Stopped at Diamonds International and Trisha picked me up a nice watch, so nice of her to know what I exactly wanted..LOL. MDR for dinner Taste of Asia was ok..spring rolls were the best! Trisha ordered them and after I tasted them I had to have my own...piggy noise..lol Ship is not full capacity and its awesome!

I’ve noticed some weirdo package pricing, too. On one of my upcoming cruises (can’t recall which), the Chops+1 was more expensive than the 3 night package which makes NO sense. The only possible reason (to me, anyway) that you would pay more $$ for fewer meals is b/c with Chops+1 you get a confirmed reservation prior to boarding and with a 3 night package you have to until you board to get those rezzies. Other than that, it makes no sense.

Left to right here, thanks for the photo from @B. Lomax I'm sure I will miss or mess up something but we can group source. Pretty remarkable in that none of these are that remarkable? Just that none of these in the photo would be classified as particularly 'hard to find' or high end (most of the front row are $25-40 dollar bottles, some of the back row around $75 but it is a nice variety to suit most pallets. I have never been to Mason Jar, there might be a more secure place they keep other limited items out of view. Front row Left to Right Rail Rye, Rail Bourbon, Baker's 7 year bourbon, Knob Creek 9 year, Wild Turkey 101, Basil Haydn, EH Taylor Colonel Small batch, 1792 single barrel, Gentleman Jack, Woodford Reserve, Uncle Nearest 1884 93 proof, Jack Daniels single barrel, Jameson, Zacapa rum, some cheapos then Kracken then mystery round bottle could almost be Blanton's original but based on how 'normie' the rest of this is I highly doubt it. John Bowman bourbon ? or even a cognac etc Second row L to R Patron silver, (tall bottle behind pitcher?), Grey Goose, Rittenhouse Rye, Jack Daniels Rye, Whistlepig Bourbon 10 year, Woodford Double oaked or master's collection?, a cheap 4 year scotch, Dewar's, Glenlivet, Mcallan, Johnny Walker Double black, Johnny Walker Black, Chivas Regal, Chivas 18, Monkey Shoulder, Canadian Club, Crown Royal, then into the cordials etc Franjelico, Campari, Midori Most 'expensive' bottle is that EH Taylor colonel around $120 retail in the states or whatever special edition of woodford that is in the second row.

I use "whats in port" see link below https://www.whatsinport.com/

Funny you should ask this. Hand to God he announced about 25 minutes ago that he checked the weather for Friday and says we should be clear and sunny so no need for waterproofing. We all know what havoc that caused last time ... He SWEARS his undies are packed this time. He SAYS he's bringing 8 pairs but will penalty only wear 4 (i didn't ask ....). I'm thinking of packing a few for him, just in case .... i get it. I totally get it! We *almost* switched to this one when it was released for booking, but we are sticking with the Jan 5, 25 11- night sailing (Batman's birthday is Jan 6). The price we paid was actually less than this 7 night. IKR?! We are actually eating in CK twice just so i get my fix. Shane says we'll try a few places and see what works for my pre-dinner martini. Oasis in September was our first time on a ship that large. And we too were a bit nervous but needn't have been. You're going to love it! The only thing i will say is that there is so much to do, a week isn't long enough! But the crowds are well managed, which was my primary concern!

Don't be. I always tell people to think of it as Freedom class with added areas. Get off at Deck 8 and you'll be in Central Park. Get off on Deck 6 aft and you'll be by the Boardwalk. The rest is mostly just bigger versions of stuff you're likely used to and extra food venues.

We did this last fall (Explorer OTS). We booked the transport thru RC , which was very reasonable and easy from Venice to Ravenna. When i researched the trains, i was concerned about having to change trains (maybe?) and then get transport from the train station in Ravenna to the port. Taking the bus with RC got us right to the dock, and cost less than the trains. I think it was about a 3 hour bus ride. You can't book the transport online, you have to call RC....fyi....

Talk about click bait...Did you really join the forum just to ask this ridiculous question

The Rhapsody is the little ship that could. We took our first cruise ever on her in the Med and she holds a special place in our hearts. She is older, simpler, but wiser, lol. The crew is one of the best at sea. Vibes are low key and with such a port heavy itinerary you'll appreciate the down time with your drink package. Enjoy it!

my favorite sleep noise on the ship is actually on the tv current location channel, can't remember which number exactly but one of the first few channels of the provided TV guide on each ship has a channel that's just a map of current location, sometimes with a view from the bridge looking out for current conditions and plays an awesome soft chill beats sound track, kind of tropical, kind of pop I can't describe it exactly but it fits perfectly. I have it on 24/7, it's one of my favorite parts of the Royal cruise.

I bring zip lock baggies and smuggle the fruit bread from windjammer home with me - I seriously love that stuff!